Source reporting: Dallas Express
A group of Texas laws taking effect September 1 will change rules governing solar sales, electronic-device repairs, precious-metal payments, manufactured housing and other areas, according to a Dallas Express review.
Senate Bill 1036 requires solar companies and their sales employees to register with the state. Companies must also maintain insurance and supervise sales personnel. Other consumer protections in the law are already active, including a five-day period to cancel a solar purchase or lease without penalty and cancellation of associated financing.
The measure also prohibits deceptive sales claims, false suggestions of government or utility affiliation, violations of no-soliciting notices and installations performed without required licensing. State regulators may impose penalties, order refunds or contract cancellations and seek enhanced consequences when a victim is at least 65 years old.
House Bill 2963 creates a right-to-repair framework for certain electronic devices. Manufacturers covered by the law must make parts, tools and repair information available to consumers and independent repair businesses on terms comparable to those offered to authorized providers.
The law excludes several product categories, including medical devices, game consoles, major home appliances, motor vehicles, agricultural equipment and industrial or aerospace equipment. It also does not require manufacturers to disclose trade secrets, source code or tools that bypass security features.
House Bill 1056 recognizes qualifying gold and silver specie as legal tender in Texas. Acceptance remains voluntary, so businesses and individuals are not required to take bullion as payment. Eligible metals must identify their weight and purity and cannot be marked in a way that falsely suggests federal issuance.
The law also provides a path for electronic payments backed by precious metals held in the Texas Bullion Depository. Beginning May 1, 2027, the comptroller may establish or authorize systems for depositors and vendors to transfer bullion-backed value.
Other measures taking effect include Senate Bill 785, which restricts cities from prohibiting manufactured homes; House Bill 5424, which permits limited compensation for people classified as volunteer firefighters; and House Bill 1240, which expands the number of counties that can qualify as border counties under state law.
The changes have practical public-policy consequences across Texas. Consumers will gain new remedies in solar transactions and device repair, local governments will face new limits involving manufactured housing, and state agencies will be responsible for implementing registration, enforcement and payment-system provisions.